Hammersly: Santa Anita pick three for Sunday, May 8
Many of you may have a Derby Saturday hangover, but there remains payoff potential the day after, including a pick three at Santa Anita (races 7-9), where you might be able to scratch out a decent payoff.
Race 7
TEMPLE KEYS (#4) had a lousy start and more trouble when sixth going shorter here March 26, also his first race in five months. Well, he can benefit from that outing, from today’s longer trip, and trainer Richard Baltas also adds blinkers (5 for last 13, 38 percent). ITSINTHEPOST (#5) has been knocking on the door of late and may be ready to break through. He hasn’t won since he was in France in 2014 but he may be peaking, and this longer trip helps. OPSEC (#3) finished strongly and won despite trouble going shorter here April 2. His best work (all three wins) has come on this course. ELECTRIFYING (#7) races on turf for the first time but comes here sharp and appears to be on the upswing.
A’s) 4, 5
B’s) 3
C’s) 7
Race 8
BEING THERE (#6) was wide against more expensive at Los Alamitos on April 29 and was unable to make a dent. His prior form was solid, including a clear second in a race like this here April 3. He has the versatility to give his rider options, too. SENNA (#4) invades from Northern California, where he held good form. Yes, that came on Golden Gate’s synthetic track, but he’s handled dirt well in the past. BLUEGRASS REWARD (#5) was wide at Los Alamitos on April 30 when fifth. That’s not the way you want to run there. He drops, had previously worked superbly there, and now returns to what may be his favorite place (5 of his 10 wins have come here).
A’s) 4, 6
B’s) 5
C’s) None
Race 9
EXCESSIVE KID (#6) was gone almost 11 months before running seventh here March 5. He surely needed that race, and the one-two finishers are stakes-caliber. He came back March 25 and finished strongly to be second, so he did move forward and might now be sitting on his best. UNDENIABLE U (#4) looked super in beating maidens here Feb. 20 and was then a solid third in his first try against winners on this course April 3. He’s shown the versatility to give his rider options, too. JOHN’S SUCCESS (#8) found 1 1/2 miles and Grade 3 waters too deep in the Tokyo City on dirt here April 3 as he set the pace before finishing fifth. He’s down in class, back to his preferred footing and a better distance. His lone win over winners came on this course and at this trip Feb. 4. FILM FREAK (#10) finished strongly to be a sharp second in his first try against winners here April 2. He gets more ground with which to work, which he may like.
A’s) 4, 6
B’s) 8, 10
C’s) None